Friday, September 7, 2012

Create a Storage Bin using Woven Recycled Magazines

My kids subscribe to kid's magazines. However, they don't keep the issues stowed in proper holders, organized and labeled; neat and tidy. They find this solution difficult to use - they're kids. While I am glad they read and enjoy their magazines, I prefer the magazines be put away when not in use. This may be the reason I am always looking for a storage solutions that are functional, easy for kids to maintain, and (preferably) stylish.

Last summer, I discovered a project that meets these requirements and more. It's a magazine bin made out of woven recycled magazines. The inspiration for this zero-cost storage solution came to me while shopping for milk crate-style storage bins. I just hated spending money on more flimsy plastic storage! I wondered if folded magazines would hold up as well as Duck Tape fashion accessories do. I tried it and found out that it does, indeed, hold up. Within an afternoon, I turned a few old kid's magazines and some packing tape into a cute magazine storage bin. Keep reading to learn how to make one of your own.

Create a Storage Bin Using Woven Recycled Magazines

Materials:

Three to Four Magazines or Catalogs

Scissors

Clear Packing Tape

General How-To:

Collect colorful magazinesNote: This project works with any magazine, catalog, or newspaper insert. A multi-color bin, made from kid's magazines, is great for kids; an all black and white bin would be cool for someone older.

Tear out enough pages for the five sides of the bin.Note: If you need multiple magazines, keep them the same type (LEGO and LEGO or Vogue and Vogue). I used approximately 18 pages per side (9 x 9 squares). So, I needed a total of 90 pages.

Remove each magazine page at the fold.

Fold one magazine page in half length-wise and crease.

First fold: fold page in half length-wise.

Open the page and fold half of the first side in to meet the crease.

Second fold: meet the center crease.

Fold the other half in to meet the crease.

Third Fold: meet center crease.

Note: You can stop here and skip the fourth fold - if you want more more of each page to show in the finished product.

If you opt to do the fourth fold, fold both sides in half again to meet the crease. Note: I made the fourth fold.

Fourth fold: Fold each side in half again.

Fold in half once more along the original crease.Result: You've created the first slat for your woven bin. The slats I created from the LEGO magazine measure approximately 10" x 1".

Final fold: Fold along original crease.

Repeat these steps for the remaining magazine pages.Note: Get the kids involved - the folding is not difficult, just time consuming. Result: You completed all the slats. Time to weave.

Four down. Only 86 more to go.

Lay the packing tape on a work surface, sticky-side up, and cut a strip of tape that measures the width of your bin, plus a bit extra. Note:
I cut a piece 12 inches long for a 10" x" 10 cubical bin.

The packing tape is 1" wide.

Place slats on the tape, leaving one inch of tape at the top.Note: I placed 10 slats vertically on the tape for my bin.Note: To make a smaller bin, just cut the folded magazine slats before you seal with tape. This technique can be used to create all sorts of items - the sky is the limit.

Extra tape will be folded over the row of slats to secure them.

Begin weaving the additional slats in an over-under pattern,Note: I was able to fit about 8 slats into the pattern horizontally.

The beginning of the weave

Tighten and straighten the slats as you continue weaving.Result: You completed one side of the bin.

Weaving on side one complete.

Tape the side of the bin completely with the packing tape.Note: This process seals the paper and strengthens the construction.

All taped up and ready for assembly.

Repeat these steps for the next four sides.Result: You completed all five sides of the bin. Time to put it all together.

Choose one of the bin sides to be the bottom.

Match the edges of one side piece and the bottom. Tape along the edge.Note: Tape both the inside and outside to add strength.

Match sides and tape together with packing tape.

Repeat with the other side pieces and the remaining three sides of the bottom piece.Note: Make sure that the text on all sides are facing the same direction when fully assembled.

Choose which side will be the outside and which will be the inside.

Match up the edges of two sides. Tape along the edge. Note: Tape both the inside and outside to add strength.

Tape the sides together to form the cube.

Repeat with the other sides.

Add one last strip of tape along the top edge to add strength.Result: You are done. Fill up the bin with magazines, catalogs, toys, and other assorted stuff.

Bin created with Ranger Rick magazines

Bin created with LEGO magazines.

Such a great project. And it cost nothing! The kids love that we created something ourselves and that it was a 'green' recycling project. I love that I have somewhere to toss their magazines. That's definitely a win-win situation. Try this project with magazines you have hanging around your house!

About Me

I am a wife
and mother living in North GA. I find I
learn something new everyday and decided to start a blog so I can document
it. My blog, CasaLupoli, is a place where I share
what I learn with those who may be interested.